Automatic machine



Dec. 7, 1943. r BIRKIGT 2,336,216

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AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Dec 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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Dec. 7, 1943. M. BIRKIGT 2,336,216

AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1938 5 Sheets-Shet 3 Fig.4;

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.5550 m eye Dec. 7, 1943. M. BIRKIGT 3 AUTOMATIC MACHINE 'Fiied Dec. 28,1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 7, 1943 AUTOMATIC MACHINE MarcBirkigt, Versoix, near Geneva, Switzerland Application December 28,1938, Serial No. 248,135 In France June 27, 1938 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to hydraulic drive automatic machines,that is to say machines intended to perform on pieces to be treatedoperations of any kind, for instance machining, finishing, filling,packing operations, at least some of the parts which cooperate inperforming these operations being operated through a hydraulictransmission. The invention is more especially, although notexclusively, concerned, among these machines, with those utilized forcharging shells, and especially small shells.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide a machine ofthis kind which is better adapted than those used up to this time tomeet the requirements of practice.

- The essential feature of the present invention consists in arrangingsuch a machine in such manner that, at least for some of the operationsthereof, the end of a phase of operation produces the starting of thenext phase, whereby the latter can take place only when the precedingphase is finished.

Other features of the present invention will result from the followingdetailed description of some specific embodiments thereof.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafterdescribed, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given merely byway of example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a machine for charging shellsmade according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale and in axial section, a detail ofthis machine;

Fig. 3 'is a plane view of the same machine, with parts in section;

Fig. 4 is a part elevational view of the same machine, on the line IV-IVof Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a part elevational view of the same machine, on the line V-Vof Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the same machine according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a part side view corresponding to Figs. 6 and '7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing some elements of the machine.

In the following description with reference to the drawings abovedescribed, I will set forth the structure and operation of a hydraulicdrive automatic machine serving, for instance, to the charging of smallsize shells I.

According to the chief feature of the present invention, this machine isarranged in such manner that, for at least some of the phases ofoperation thereof, the end of a phase produces the starting of the nextphase, whereby said second mentioned phase can take place only when thepreceding one is finished.

It will be readily understood that such an operation will greatlyimprove the safety of working of the machine since all the piecesdelivered by said machine have necessarily undergone integrally each ofthe operations which ensure, at the end of their execution, the startingof the next phase of operation.

If, for some accidental reason, one of these phases cannot be whollyperformed, the next phase cannot be started and the machine, ceasesworking, without undergoing any injury and without deteriorating theshells which are being charged. It will then suffice to remedy the causethat has prevented the phase in question from being wholly performed,and the machinewill then finish thisphase and go on with its work.

Preferably, as it will be supposed in the fol-' lowing description, themachine is of therdrum or barrel type, that is-to say it includes ahorizontal plate or disc 2, moving with a discontinuous rotary motion,on which the shells to be charged are disposed, said disc feeding saidshells successively on the vertical line of distributing devices whichpermit of introducing a charge of powder thereinto,-and of compressingdevices capable of placing said charge under the desired pressure. I

It is, for instance, possible, to arrange the system in such manner thatthe charging of each shell is effected in two steps, the first chargethat is introduced being compressed before the introduction of thesecond charge.

Advantageously, such a machine may be made in'such manner as to work asfollows: unlocking of plate 2, driving of the latter through a certainangle, locking of said plate in its new position, and operation of thedistributing and compressing devices.

If the chief feature of the present invention is applied, as it seemsadvantageous to do, to all the phases of this cycle of operation, thehydraulic control system of the machine is to'be arranged in such manneras to comply with the following conditions: a

Plate 2 cannot be imparted a rotary movement after it has been-locked; l

The locking system of said plate cannot again come into action as longas plate 2 has 'not reached its newposition; 4 I i The distributing andcompressing devices cannot come to coact with the shells opposite whichthey are located as long as plate 2 is not again locked in position;

Finally, said plate cannot be unlocked, or released as long as saiddistributing and compressing devices have not come back into inactiveposition.

Although, in view of these principles, it is possible to devise manyspecific embodiments of such a machine, I have found that it is ofadvantage to have recourse to the embodiment illustrated by theaccompanying drawings.

According to this embodiment, the machine is provided with a hollow basein which can be housed an oil tank, and, eventually, the pump forplacing the plant under pressure. The return or" oil resulting from thedischarge of the various control circuits of the machine takes placeinside said hollow base at the upper part of which plate 2 is mounted,as it will be hereinafter more specifically explained.

Coaxially with this base, I provide a rod capable of sliding, againstthe action of an elastic system such for instance as a spring 5, on theinside of a cylinder disposed partly on the inside of said base, saidrod acting as support for the compressor devices and further ensuring,upon certain vertical displacements thereof, the operation of thedistributing devices.

Plate 2 is then mounted in such manner that it pivots about the upperpart of cylinder 5, said plate being provided with lugs I, preferablyuniformly distributed over its periphery, so that the shells I can befitted on said lugs.

Plate 2 is provided with a drive system working i only in one direction.This system may consist, for instance, of a free wheel pinion 8subjected to the action of a rack 9.

I further provide a locking device for stopping, at the desired time,plate 2, and for this purpose, for instance, I fit in the upper part ofbase 3, a finger III capable of projecting, under the action of a springI I, into any of a plurality of holes I 2 provided at suitable angularintervals, in the lower face of said plate.

I have recourse, for operating the various elements above mentioned, toa hydraulic system which is advantageously devised (account being takenof the fact that the phases of operation of the machine depend upon oneanother) in such manner as to include three distinct circuits A, B andC, corresponding respectively to the operation of finger I c, the driveof plate 2, and the control of the vertical displacements of the rod 4.

Concerning the first of these circuits, it is made as follows:

I provide, in the upper part of base 3, an oil feed conduit AI which iscaused to communicate, through an annular groove A2 carried by rod 4 andplaying the part of distributing means when said rod undergoes verticaldisplacements, as will be hereinafter explained, with a conduit A3 whichis prolonged by a conduit A i extending in the rack 9 (when the latteris in position of rest) through a passage A5 and opening (said conduitA4) into a cylinder I3 above a piston I l, rigid with finger I0, wherebyan increase in the liquid pressure inside said cylinder produces theretraction of said finger against the action of its return spring II.

One of the elements moving simultaneously with plate 2, for instancerack 9, is adapted to control a system capable of ensuring the dischargeof cylinder I3. For instance, this system isconstituted by providing, inthe body of rack 9,

a passage capable of connecting conduit A4 and cylinder I3 with theinside of base 2, that is to say with the discharge tank, when this rackhas moved through a part of its stroke.

Concerning now circuit B, it is arranged in such manner that it isplaced under pressure as a result of the depressing of finger it] and,on the contrary, that its discharge can take place when said fingerprojects into holes I2.

For this purpose, for instance, the oil feed conduit B leads to anorifice BI opening into the inside of cylinder I3, in which is movablyfitted piston I4, rigid with finger IE]. An orifice B2 is provided,opposite orifice BI, which is prolonged by a conduit B3 leading to acylinder I 6 in which a piston i8 rigid with rack 9 is movable, againstthe action of a return spring I7.

The skirt of piston I4 is arranged in such manner that, on the one hand,when finger I0 is in looking position, orifice BI is hidden and orificeB2 is opened, owing to a port I9 which permits the discharge of thecircuit that is considered through the bottom of cylinder I3, and, onthe other hand, when said finger is retracted, an annular groove carriedby piston I4 connects orifices BI and B2, thus permitting of placingcylinder I6 under pressure.

Finally, concerning circuit C, which is to control the displacements ofrod 2 and the distributing and compressing devices combined with saidrod, it is advantageously devised in such manner that its placing underpressure is produced by rack 9, at the end of the useful stroke thereof.

For this purpose, for instance, the liquid under pressure is fed througha conduit C into a chamber 2| containing an evacuation orifice which isnormally closed by a valve 22 kept on its seat by means of a spring 23.

In order to obtain the opening of this valve at the desired time, I makeuse of a kind of piston 24 adapted to be displaced by rack 9 at the endof the driving stroke thereof in such manner as to come, in this case,to move said valve away from its seat, and, at the same time, to close adischarge orifice 25, thus placing chamber H in communication with aconduit CI which itself opens into cylinder 6, above a piston 26, rigidwith rod 4.

I provide means for keeping piston 24 in the position for which Valve 22is opened, for the time corresponding to the distribution andcompression operation.

These later means are constituted, for example, by a sliding piece ofwhich the lower part 21 forms a little piston which carries the upperpart 217 the latter part having a diameter less than that of the piston21.

The left-hand part of the piston 2c is formed as a fork 22 (see Fig. 3)which engages with its legs the upper part 2'l of the sliding piece. Thesliding piece includes an extension 29 engageable by a finger 3!] rigidwith the rod 4 at the end of its descending course.

The sliding piece 2?, 27 is also submitted to the action of a spring 28which presses the part 27 against a shoulder or enlargement 22 of thepiston 24 when the latter is in the normal position in Figs. 3 and 4.

When, on the other hand, the piston 24 is moved to the right to producethe opening of valve 22, the enlargement 24 disengages the slide piece27!, 2'8 which then moves upwardly. The lower part 2'5 of the slidepiece, under the action of spring 28, then engages with its lateral face21 against the left-hand face 24 of en- :largement 24 Thus the piston 24is locked in its right-hand positin, and holds the valve 22 open againstthe spring 23.

When, on the other hand, the rod 4 has completed its downward movement,finger 30 engages rod 29 and pushes the slide piece 21, 21 downwardly,thus disengaging the portion 2'1 from the left hand face 24 Piston 24 isthen pushed towards the left by the spring 23, and engagement 24 comesback into a position to overlie the slide piece portion 21 and hold itin its lowered position.

For the sake of clarity, I will indicate now, before entering intodetails concerning the structures of the distributing and compressingdevices proper, how circuits A, B and C above referred to work andcontrol one another. Considering the machine at a time of its operationwhen finger I8 is engaged in a hole l2 and rod 4 is in the upperposition, that is to say after a charging operation, annular groove A2occupies a position in which it connects conduits Al and A3 with eachother, thus permitting the oil pressure to be transmitted, throughconduit A l, as far as cylinder [3. Therefore, piston I4 is movedagainst the action of spring H and this displacement has for its effect,on the one hand, to produce the retraction of finger 10, which thenreleases plate 2, and, on the other hand, to bring groove 20 oppositeorifices Bi and B2, that is to say to close circuit B.

Once this last circuit is closed, the oil pressure is transmitted intocylinder l6, and rack 9 is moved, against the action of spring is, inthe direction in which it drives disc 2 through a suitable angle. Whensaid rack has moved a portion of its stroke, recess comes oppositeconduit A4 and circuit A is discharged. Finger ID is urged toward itsupper position but it cannot move under the effect of spring I l as longas it is not opposite a hole l2, that is to say as long as disc 2 hasnot reached the new position in which it is to be stopped. When thisposition is reached, the locking of disc 2 and the discharge of circuitB take place simultaneously, since the upward movement of groove placesorifice B2 into communication with the discharge circuit of the whole ofthe machine, while closing orifice Bi. But immediately before these twooperations take place, rack 3 produces, at the end of its stroke, thedisplacement of piston 24 which is hooked on small disc 2'! in theposition in which it closes the discharge orifice 25 and keeps valve 22opened against the action of spring 23, that is to say in a position inwhich it ensures the placing under pressure of circuit C. Circuit B isno longer under pressure due to the fact that groove 2!: has movedupwardly, and rack 9 comes back into its initial position under theeffect of spring i'l.

Once circuit C is thus closed, the oil pressure comes to act on piston25, which moves down under the efiect of said pressure against the ctionof spring 5, thus driving, together with it rod t and the devicesassociated therewith, which will be hereinafter more fully described. Assoon as the downward movement of this rod has started, groove A2 isdisplaced with respect to conduits Al and A3, which positively preventsany accidental unlockin of plate 2, as long as rod not come back intoits initial position. When said rod reaches its lower position, fingercomes to coa-ct with lug 29, which isrigid with small disc 2'1,compelling the latter tore: lease piston 24, which comes to occupy aposition in which circuit C is discharged. Rodd comes back into highposition, and as groove A2 again connects conduits Al and A3, theunlocking of finger it] can take plac and the same cycle of operationsagain takes place.

It is then possible to perform manually the filling of the shellsupports as soon as these loaded shells have been removed, alsomanually. This replacement of the charged shells by new shells to becharged takes place when plate 2 brings said charged shells in a clearzone, after which the fresh shells thus mounted are passed to thedistributing and compressing devices.

Concerning now the two compressing devices to be provided, they can bemade for instance in the following manner:

I provide, at the upper part of rod 4, a fork 3!, each arm of whichsupports a punch 32 capable of engagingvinto the shell I for compressingthe charge poured into said shell by one of the distributing devices.

I leave, between the branches of said fork, an interval sufficient forthe housing of th distributing device intended to introduce the secondcharge.

Advantageously, I interpose, between fork 3| and each punch a spring boxor the like 33, preferably of adjustable tension, capable 'of limitingto a suitable value the rate of charging compression, said value beingnot aiiected by slight variations of the stroke of rod 4,

Furthermore, advantageously, one of the arms of fork 3i carries thefinger 3U intended to ensure the release of discZl.

Concerning now the distributing devices, I provide, for instance, twosuch devices, as above explained, and I arrange them insuch manner thatthey are controlled by rod 41, during its downward stroke, and thenensure the release of a charge, for instance of powder, previouslymeasured in such manner that all the shells receive the same charge.

Of course, distributing devices complying with these conditions can bemade in many different manners, but I consider that it is advantageousto make use of the following arrangement, illustrated by theaccompanying drawings:

Each of the distributors is provided with a fixed hopper 34communicating, through the intermediate of an obturator 35, whichpermits of separating said hopper, for instance when the remainder ofthe system is taken to pieces, with a distributing and measuring slidevalv 36 ca-' pable of occupying either of the two following positions:

(a) A position in which a hole 31 provided in said slide valve islocated under obturator 35 and is thus filled with a charge of powder;and

(b) A position in which said cavity 31 comes above the shell to becharged and drops its charge, through an orifice 38, into said shell,which can, with advantage, be fitted with a. funnel 39.

In order to control the sliding displacements of slide valve 36, Iprovide a bent lever 40 one of the arms of which is provided with a ball4| engaging in a notch 42 provided for this purpose in said slide valve.The other arm of said lever coacts, through the intermediate of a rod 43and a spring 43' intended to permit, eventually, a complementarydisplacement of lever 60 after slide valve 36 has reached the end of itsstroke, with a bent piece 44 mounted on the end of fork 3| which isrigid with rod 4, the whole being such that, when rod 4 moves in theopposite'direc-- tion, said slide valve comes back under hopper 34 so asto receive a new charge.

It should be noted that it is possible, advantageously, to constituteslide valve 36 of a fibrous material, such for instance as that known bythe trade name Celeron which does not risk producing sparks as a resultof its friction with the metallic slideway in which said slide valve ismovable.

The latter is made of two parts which are kept applied against saidslideway by springs 45, in order to reduce the risks of jamming,crushing and spontaneous ignition oi the powder flakes.

Anyway, whatever be the embodiment that is chosen, I obtain a machineadapted to work automatically for chargin shells the operation andadvantages result sufficiently clearly from the above explanations formaking it unnecessary further to describe said operation and to stresssaid advantages.

In a general manner, while I have, in the above description, disclosedwhat I deem to be a practical and efficient embodiment of the presentinvention, it should be well understood that I do not wish to be limitedthereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, dispositionand form of the parts without departing from the principle of thepresent invention as comprehended within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, a first means to impartintermittent rotary movement to said table, a second means to lock saidtable against movement, and a third means operating in a cycle to chargecases carried by said table; first, second and third hydraulic circuitsfor operating in one direction, and first, second and third spring meansfor operating in the opposite direction each of said first, second andthird means, respectively, control means for said circuits, includingmeans to control said second circuit in response to the operation ofsaid first and third means, respectively, to render said second circuitinoperative when either of said first and third means is operated, meansto control said first circuit in response to the operation of saidsecond means to render said first circuit inoperative when said secondmeans is operated to lock said table,

means to control said third circuit in response to the operation of saidfirst means, and means responsive to operation of said third means torender said third circuit inoperative when said third means hascompleted a predetermined portion of a cycle of operations.

2. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, a first means to impartintermittent rotary movement to said table, a second means to lock saidtable against movement, and a third means operating in a cycle to chargecases carried by said table; first, second and third hydraulic circuitsfor controlling movement in one direction of each of said first, secondand third means, respectively, spring means for controlling movement inthe opposite direction of each of said first, second, and third means,control means for said circuits, including a first and a second controlelement in the second circuit, means to control said first and secondcontrol elements in response to the operation of said first and thirdmeans, respectively, to render said second circuit inoperative wheneither of said first and third means is operated, a third controlelement in said first circuit, means to control said third element inresponseto the operation of said second means to render said firstcircuit inoperative when said second means is operated to lock saidtable, a fourth control element in said third circuit, means to controlsaid fourth control element in response to the operation of said firstmeans to render said circuit operative, and means responsive tooperation of said third means to control said fourth element to rendersaid third circuit inoperative when said third means has completed apredetermined portion of a cycle of operations.

3. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, means to impart intermittentrotary movement to said table, a second means to lock said table againstmovement, and a third means operating in a cycle to charge cases carriedby said table; first, second and third hydraulic circuits operative inone direction and spring means for operating in the other direction eachof said first, second and third means, respectively, said first meansincluding a first member which reciprocates in a cycle, said third meansincluding a second member which reciprocates in a cycle, meanscontrolled by the beginning of movement of said first member in itscycle to render said second circuit inoperative, means controlled bymovement of said second member to render said second circuitinoperative, said second means including a third reciprocating member,means operated by movement of said third reciprocating member to rendersaid first circuit operative, and means controlled by movement of saidfirst reciprocating member to render said. third circuit operative,means to lock said last controlled means in position to maintain saidthird circuit operative, and means controlled by movement of said secondreciprocating member to release said locking means and to restore saidthird circuit to inoperative condition.

4. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, means to impart intermittentrotary movement to said table, a second means to lock said table againstmovement, and a third means operating in a cycle to charge cases carriedby said table; first, second and third hydraulic circuits for operatingin one direction and spring means for operating in the oppositedirection each of said first, second and third means, respectively, saidfirst circuit when charged causing operation of said first means to movesaid table, said second circuit when charged causing release of saidsecond locking means, and said third circuit when charged causingmovement of said third means through at least a part of its cycle, saidfirst means including a first member which reciprocates in a cycle, saidthird means including a second member which reciprocates in a cycle,means controlled by the beginning of movement of said first member inits cycle to render said second circuit inoperative, means controlled bymovement of said second member to render said second circuitinoperative, said second means including a third reciprocating member,means operated by movement of said third reciprocating member to unlocksaid tableto render said first circuit operative so as to move saidtable, and means controlled by movement of said first reciprocatingmember to render said third circuit operative to charge cases, means tolock said last controlled means in position to maintain said thirdcircuit operative, and means controlled by movement of said secondreciprocating member to release said locking means and to restore saidthird circuit to inoperative condition.

5. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, a reciprocating rack, a gearmeshing with said rack, a one-way clutch connection between said gearand said table, a member mounted for reciprocation, means carried bysaid member for charging cartridge cases carried by said table, saidtable having holes therein, and'a reciprocable pin engageable in saidholes for locking said table in predetermined angular positions; first,second and third hydraulic circuits for moving said rack, for movingsaid pin and for moving said reciprocating member respectively, acylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder rigid with said rack, meansconnecting said cylinder to said first circuit to drive said rack in adirection to turn said table when said first circuit is charged, springmeans urging said rack in the other direction, said piston includingmeans for rendering said second circuit operative when the piston is atrest and for rendering said second circuit inoperative after said pistonhas begun its movement, a second piston rigid with said pin andsubjected to the action of fluid in said second circuit, said pistonwhen subjected to such pressure moving said pin to unlocking positionout of engagement with said holes, spring means acting on said piston tourge said pin into engagement with said holes, said piston having meansarranged in said first circuit for rendering said first circuitinoperative when said pin is in looking position within one of saidholes, a valve in said third circuit, spring means normally holding saidvalve to closed position, means engageable by said first piston at theend of its stroke in the direction to move said table to engage saidlast valve and move it to open position so as to render said thirdcircuit operative, catch means for engaging said member when it is movedto a position to render said third valve operative to lock said memberand valve in operative position, means engageable by said reciprocatingmember upon its movement in a direction to charge said cases and at theend of such movement to release said locking means whereby said thirdvalve is restored to circuit closing position, said reciprocating memberincluding means operable at the beginning of its movement to close saidsecond circuit so as to render said second circuit inoperative, and toopen said second circuit upon its return to normal position.

6. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, a reciprocating rack, a gearmeshing with said rack, a one-way clutch connection between said gearand said table, a member mounted for reciprocation, means carried bysaid member for charging cartridge cases carried by said table, saidtable having holes therein, and a reciprocable pin engageable in saidholes for locking said table in predetermined angular positions; first,second and third hydraulic circuits for moving said rack in a directionto move said table, for moving said pin out of locking position and formoving said reciprocating member towards charging position respectively,a cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder rigid with said rack,means connecting said cylinder to said first circuit to drive said rackin a direction to' turn said table when said first circuit is charged,spring means urging said rack in the other direction, said pistonincluding means for rendering said second circuit operative when thepiston is at rest and for rendering said second circuit inoperativeafter said piston has begun its movement, a second piston rigid withsaid pin and subjected to the action of fiuid in said second circuit,said piston when subjected to such pressure moving said pin to unlockingposition out of engagement with said holes, spring means acting on saidpiston to urge said pin into engagement with said holes, said pistonhaving means arranged in said first circuit for render-' position torender said third valve operative to lock said member and valve inoperative position, means engageable by said reciprocating member uponits movement ment to release said locking means whereby said third valveis restored to circuit closing position, said reciprocating memberincluding means operable at the beginning of its movement to close saidsecond circuit so as to render said second circuit inoperative, and toopen said second circuit upon its return to normal position.

'7. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises arotatable table for receiving cases to be charged, a reciprocatingmember, a one-way connection between said member and said table, asecond member mounted for reciprocation, means carried cable pinengageable in said holes for locking said table in predetermined angularpositions} first, second and third hydraulic circuits for moving saidfirst member in a direction to move said table, for moving said pin outof locking position and for moving said second reciprocating membertowards charging position respectively, means operated by said firstmember for rendering said second circuit operative when said firstmember is at rest and for rendering said second circuit inoperativeafter said first member has begun its movement, a piston rigid with saidpin and subjected to the action of fiuid in said second circuit, saidpiston when subjected to such pressure moving said pin to unlockingposition out of engagement with said holes, spring means acting on saidpiston to urge said pin into engagement with said holes, means arrangedin said first circuit controlled by said piston for rendering said firstcircuit inoperative when said pin is in looking position within one ofsaid holes and operative when said pin is out of locking position, meanscontrolled by said first member at the end of its stroke in thedirection to move said table to render said third circuit operative,catch means for engaging said last means when it is moved to a positionto render said third circuit operative to lock said in a direction to"charge said cases and at the end of such moveby said second member forcharging cartridge cases carried by said table, I said table havingholes therein, and a recipro last means in operative position, meansengageable by said second reciprocating member upon its movement in adirection to charge said cases and at the end of such movement torelease said locking means whereby said third circuit is renderedinoperative, said second reciprocating member including means operableat the beginning of its'movement to close said second circuit so as torender said second circuit inoperative, and to open said second circuitupon its return to normal position.

8. In a device for charging cartridge cases, which comprises a rotatabletable for receiving cases to be charged, a first means to impartintermittent rotary movement to said table, a second means to lock saidtable against movement, and a third means ope-rating in a cycle tocharge cases carried by said table; first, second and third hydrauliccircuits for operating each of said first, second and third means,respectively, control means for said circuits, including a first controlelement in the circuit for operating said second means, means to controlsaid first control element in response to the operation of said firstmeans to render said second circuit inoperative when said first means isoperated, a second control element in said first circuit, means tocontrol said second element in response to the operation of said secondmeans to render iaid first circuit inoperative when said second means isoperated, a third control element in said third circuit, means tocontrol said third ontrol element in response to the operation of :aidfirst means, and means responsive to operition of said third means tocontrol said third element to render said third circuit inoperative vhensaid third means has completed a predeermined portion of a cycle ofoperations.

9. An automatic machine for filling ammuniion shells, comprising ahorizontal table for holding shells to be filled, means to impart a.iscontinuous rotary movement to said table, We operating assembliesassociated with said able, each of which comprises a distributing evicefor a charge of powder and a compressing evice for compressing thischarge in a shell, said able bringing each shell successively beneathoth said devices so that they efiect charging 1 two successive phases,each distributing dece comprising a stationary hopper, a metering 1ddistributing slide valve having a bore therel, and means connecting saidhopper and said ide valve, an obturator in said connecting cans to shutoil said hopper from said valve, id valve being movable between aposition in aich said bore is located below the, connecting cans andthereby becomes filled with a charge I of powder and a position abovethe shell to be i from each other.

10. An automatic machine for filling ammunition shells, comprising ahorizontal table for holding shells to be filled, means to impart adiscontinuous rotary movement to said table, a stationary hopper, ametering and distributing slide valve having a bore therein, and meansconnecting said hopper and said slide valve, said valve being movablebetween a position in which said bore is located below the connectingmeans and thereby becomes filled with a charge of powder and a positionabove the shell to be filled to release its charge into said shell, saidslide valve comprising two relatively movable parts, and spring meansurging said parts away from each other.

11. A machine of the type described comprising in combination astationary base, a table rotatable with respect to said base, drivingmeans for imparting intermittent rotary movement to said table, indexingmeans comprising locking and abutment means supported respectively bysaid base and said table, a first fiuid circuit for impartin movement tosaid driving means in one direction from its position of rest, means forreturning said driving means to its position of rest, constantly actingmeans for urging said locking means into engagement with said abutmentmeans, and a second fluid circuit for disengaging said locking meansfrom said abutment means, means to control said first circuit inresponse to the operation of said locking means so as to render saidfirst circuit operative when said locking means are disengaged andinoperative when said locking means are engaged, and means to controlsaid second circuit in response of said driving means so as to renderinoperative said second circuit when said driving means is out of itsposition of rest.

12. A machine according to claim 11 further comprising tool meansoperating in a cycle, a

third fiuid circuit for operating said tool means, means responsive tothe operation of said driving means to render said circuit operative,means responsive to the operation of said tool means to render saidcircuit inoperative when said tool means has completed a predeterminedportion of a cycle of operations and further control means for saidsecond circuit responsive to the operation of said tool means so as torender inoperative said second circuit when said tool means is out ofits position of rest.

MARC BIRKIGT.

